The first WTCC race at the Vila Real International Circuit was marked by the regularity of machines and drivers, who did not take risks in a track that was very little given to adventures. At the end of the round, the focus was on the match, with all the players revealing that, in the end, the important thing is to leave the grid well, with the chances of overtaking being scarce and always risky.
Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini soon gained a position in the first meters, after Hugo Valente (Chevrolet Cruze) had missed the start. The excitement was also felt in the back as Chinese Ma Qing Hua (Citroen C-Elysée) and Frenchman Yvan Muller (Citroen C-Elysée) overtook Lada Vesta of Dutchmen Jaap Van Lagen and Nicky Catsburg.
After this initial change of places the positions remained unchanged until the end of the race. In the statements of the pilots after the race, the requirement for the layout was more than evident.
Jose Maria LopezRacing here is very demanding and I was careful at the start, which was good, and then with the car, which suffers more than on a traditional circuit, on a track where an error can always happen. I made a few, which didn't prevent the victory, but the second race will be very difficult, because I'll start back there and I'll see what happens.
Sebastien LoebThe match was the only time I could have reached first place, but he started well, I was close to the wall. Then I tried to maintain contact, but I was never in a position to attack him. In the second race we'll see what happens, but I'm confident with the car's behavior
Norbert MicheliszThis is a fantastic circuit, not only for the design of the track, but especially for the atmosphere that surrounds it. Without Hugo's problem, from the start, it would have been difficult to get here, as overtaking is almost impossible.
James MonteiroThis is a track where it's fun to drive and I've started to understand now many of the stories I've heard. The match was crucial, I managed to gain a position, I made the first round of the 'attack' to understand where I was. I'm satisfied with fifth place and now I'm going to think about the second race. I learned a lot in this race and now it's time to see where we can improve.
Classification:
1st José Maria Lopez (Citroen C-Elysée), 13 laps (61,815 km), in 26,232,906 (141.6 km/h);
2nd Sébastien Loeb (Citroen C-Elysée), at 1.519 s.;
3rd Norbert Michelisz (Honda Civic), at 5,391 s.;
4th Gabriele Tarquini (Honda Civic), 5.711 s.;
5th Tiago Monteiro (Honda Civic), at 9,402 s.;
6th Ma Qing Hua (Citroen C-Elysée), at 12.807 s.;
7th Yvan Muller (Citroen C-Elysée), at 21.126 s.;
8th Jaap Van Lagen (Lada Vesta), at 22,234 s.;
9th Nicky Catsburg (Lada Vesta), at 27.636 s.;
10th Robert Huff (Lada Vesta), at 28,860 s.;
Six more pilots qualified.
Photo: @World